The joy of watching Pushparaj’s character is his unapologetic rejection of social pretenses. He’s a refreshing departure from the self-righteous, do-gooder hero archetype. Pushpa is a product of a corrupt world—a virus that mutates to outwit the system. He’s not above corruption, not above urinating in a swimming pool. Why, then, must he conform to the demands of a typical hero? “Save the girl from abusive men.” “Earn a surname for sentimental value.” Never mind that Srivalli has already delivered a rousing monologue that makes it unnecessary.
Yet, despite its issues, Pushpa 2 is a film I’d happily recommend. It’s brimming with wild energy, packed with fantastic dialogues (“What’s more nightmarish than the truth?”), and marked by poetic symmetry in its writing. The central conflict between Shekhawat and Pushpa is not just a clash of egos—it’s a study in contrasts. Shekhawat’s ego is rooted in authority, while Pushpa’s stems from a demand for equality. Even the final stretch, though it didn’t work for me (just like it didn’t in the first film), draws fascinating parallels between a wedding and a funeral, between joy and grief, highlighting life’s transient cycles where one constantly makes way for the other.
The film is long but rarely feels like it—until the final stretch. The Japan portion, in the beginning, feels unnecessary, and while women are central to the narrative, they are relegated to unsurprising roles, largely coming across as victims or crutches. However, for Sukumar’s conviction, cleverness, and his ability to infuse the film with infectious energy, Pushpa 2 deserves love.
Movie: Pushpa 2: The Rule
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Sreeleela, Rao Ramesh, Anasuya Bharadwaj
Ratings: 3.5/5 stars
(This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)
